Hazard Mitigation Planning

What is hazard mitigation planning?

No region is immune to natural hazards caused by geographic, climate, or weather-related events. The natural hazard mitigation planning process involves collaborating with regional stakeholders such as Emergency Management Agencies, public health facilities, hospitals, and assessors to effectively plan for a natural disaster before it happens. In the Tri-County area, that requires planning for tornadoes, floods, winter storms, and other such incidents.

Where does TCRPC come in?

Tri-County has partnered with American Environmental Corporation to produce a new update, featuring more participating jurisdictions than the previous version. The planning process has been ongoing since August 2017.

Fifteen jurisdictions throughout Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties are participating in the planning process:

Village of Bartonville

City of Chillicothe

City of East Peoria

City of Eureka

Village of Germantown Hills

Village of Hanna City

Village of Morton

City of Pekin

City of Peoria

Village of Peoria Heights

Village of Roanoke

Tazewell County

Village of Tremont

City of Washington

Woodford County

To start the planning process, the Mitigation Advisory Committee, or MAC, was formed and met on five separate occasions: October 2017; March 2018; June 2018; September 2018; and January 2019. During these five meetings, the MAC discussed past natural hazards, dollars of damage, and potential projects that will mitigate future damage from events such as tornadoes, severe storms, floods, and drought.

Through this process, the MAC has identified over 180 regional projects and activities that have the potential to alleviate future regional damage from natural hazards. These preventative steps, such as conducting studies, hardening infrastructure, designating shelters, developing educational materials, and evaluating critical facilities, can potentially save the region money, reduce property damage, and limit loss of life.

The draft Tri-County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan is available for public review. Please see the below sections of the plan.